Adjustable hat-shape retainer.



E. W. PARNSWORTH. ADJUSTABLE HAT SHAPE RETAINER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27, 1912.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

Inventor hII/IIIA I Attorheys EMERSON W. FARNSWORTH, OF BUCKI-IANNON, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- I-IALF TO CLINTON I. FAB-NSWORTH, OF BUOKI-IANNON, WEST VIRGINIA.

ADJUSTABLE HAT-SHAPE RETAINER.

4 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMERSON W. Fenne- WORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buckhannon, in the county of U pshur and State of \Vest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Adjustable Hat-Shape Retainer, of which the following is a specifica tion.

This invention relates to hats, and has for its primary object to provide an attachment therefor for effectually retaining the shape of the hat and to prevent same from breaking down or lopping, and to permit of the expansion or contraction of the hat.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which is simple in construction, inexpensive, convenient and efficient, and which is applicable to a hat in such a manner as to be completely out of sight in order not to present any unsightly and cumbersome proj ections or the like on the hat.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the invention is better understood, this invention resides in the novel construction and combination of parts set forth in the following description and pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote corresponding parts and in which,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hat embodying the present invention, a portion of the hat band being broken away. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken through the hat. Fig. 3 is a fragmental sectional detail. Fig. 4 is a fragmental detail of the adjusting means of the hat shape retainer.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the crown of the hat, the numeral 6 denotes the brim, the numeral 7 denotes the hat band passing around the crown 5 adjacent the brim 6 and having a bow 8 at one side, and the numeral 9 designates the sweat band, all of which are customary in hats of various styles.

The present invention resides in a metallic non-elastic tape or band 10, which has threaded members 12 secured to the end thereof, which members 12 are connected by a turn buckle 13. The turn buckle 13 is provided with two or more diametrically opposite apertures 14 for convenience in rotating Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 27, 1912.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

Serial No. 686,673.

same, and the tape or band 10 is provided with a plurality of elongated longitudinal slots 11 spaced at interval points throughout its length and adjacent the lower edge of the band or tape. The band or tape 10 comprises a narrow and thin strip of suitable metal, and in use, the said band or tape 10 is passed exteriorly around the crown of the hat adjacent the brim to seat thereon and under the hat band 7. The turn buckle 13 connects the end members 12 of the tape 10 and the tape is attached to the crown of the hat by stitches 15 passed through the hat and the slots 11 and under the tape 10. The

ends of the tape 10 are spaced apart when the tape is applied to the hat and the turn buckle 13 in connecting the ends thereof permits the shape retainer to be contracted or expanded as a whole. The turn buckle 13 is preferably disposed underneath the bow 8, and in this manner the attachment is entirely hidden from view and presents a compact and simple attachment which is not cumbersome. The stitches 15 provide means for attachlng the tape 10 at interval points through the slots 11 permit the tape 10 to slide slightly at the various points of attachment relative to the crown of the hat.

The members 12 at the respective ends of the tape 10 are provided with opposite screw threads, and by rotating the turn buckle 13 in the proper direction, the shaper as a whole may be contracted or expanded, in

-which event the crown of the hat will be hat to be adjusted to conform to the shape of the head of the wearer, but it will also effectually retain the shape of the hat and keep the same from breaking down and lopping. The turn buckle also permits of a delicate or minute adjustment of the shape retainer for the expansion or contraction thereof, and as heretofore stated, this device is very simple-in construction to enable the same to be manufactured at a small cost. This device will also retain its position on the hat and will therefore remain stable. This device is also simple in operation, the turn buckle permitting the device to be adjusted manually or by means of a suitable implement for the most delicate adjustment thereof as may be desired or necessary.

The device is also applicable for various to the crown of the hat and in passing 4 ous sizes for use on any size of hats.

kinds of hats, and for the hats of either adults or children, and can be made in vari- The turn buckle also permits the device to be adjusted to fit various sizes of heads, and by extending or expanding the device, the same may be readily placed over the crown of the hat, and then passed under the hat band to be properly positioned on the hat when the device may then be attached to the crown of the hat by the use of a needle and thread to provide the stitches 15, as will be apparent.

Ordinarily, the wearing of a hat, attended with the heat from the head, has a certain natural tendency to stretch out and make the size of the hat larger, and to break down and ruin the shape of the hat, especially at the point where the brim of the hat joins the crown. It is customary to insert felt or paper padding underneath the hat band to overcome the foregoing objections, but while that to a certain extent overcomes the certain objections, it only aifords temporary relief to the wearer and fails to correct the shape of the hat, and as a result still further completes the ruination of the hat. It will be noted that the present device will overcome the above mentioned objections in a perfect manner and will prevent the hat from breaking down or lopping at the brim, and will therefore retain the natural shape of the hat in such a manner as to be comfortable to the wearer. This device also effectually prevents the expansion of the hat at the vital points and enables the wearer to wear the hat for a much longer period.

It is understood that the band or tape 10 may be constructed of any other suitable material other than metal, and that the turn buckle 13 may be swiveled at one end to one end of the said band or tape if desired.

The turn buckle when set in a given position of contraction or expansion of the retainer will not change its position, and the outer surface of the turn buckle may be made with longitudinal corrugations or may be knurled, in order that the turn buckle may be readily turned by the hand. The hat shape retainer is also useful and eflective Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

brim and connected at interval points to thehat, and adjusting means connecting the ends of the tape for contracting or expanding the shape retainer as a whole to correspondingly contract or expand the hat.

2. In combination with a hat, of an adjustable shape retainer embodying a nonelastic metallic tape passing ext-eriorly around the-crown of the hat adjacent the brim and having a plurality of elongated longitudinal slots spaced at interval points throughout its length and adjacent the lower edge of the tape, and having screw threaded end members, a turn buckle connecting the said members, and stitches passed through the hat and the respective slots and around the lower edge of the tape.

3. In combination with a hat having a band extending around'the crown thereof adjacent the brim, of an adjustable shape retainer embodying a non-elastic metallic tape extending exteriorly around the crown of the hat adjacent the brim under the said band and slidably connected at interval points to the hat, and adjusting means connecting the ends of the tape for contracting or expanding the shape retainer as a whole to correspondingly contract or expand the hat.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EMERSON WV. FARNSWORTH.

Witnesses:

C. I. FARNSWORTH, P. IV. OURS.

Washington, D. C. 

